Airport bridge and lift

ABSTRACT

A lift is coupled to the outer cab of a telescoping bridge. The lift has a carriage that can be moved by a cable and a motor upward or downward and which includes a platform that has sensing means for controlling the motor for stopping downward movement of the carriage when it engages the ground. An electrically operated safety catch is provided to prevent the carriage from falling in the event the cable breaks. A safety system is provided which prevents the bridge from moving if the carriage is not in the up position and its door is not closed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a bridge with a lift for use for the passage ofpassengers and luggage between an airport and an airplane.

2. Description of the Prior Art

U.S. Pat. No. 5,704,086 discloses a telescoping bridge or tunnelcomprising an inner rotunda coupled to an airport, and a telescopingwalkway or tunnel coupled between the rotunda and an outer cab to becoupled to the door of an airplane for passengers and small luggage. Thebridge of the patent can be expanded and retracted and be rotated abouta vertical axis at the rotunda. In each telescoping pair of bridgesections, the inner bridge section telescopes within its adjacent outerbridge section.

In another known telescoping bridge in use, in each telescoping pair ofbridge sections, the outer bridge section telescopes into its adjacentinner bridge section.

Another known bridge in use is fixed in place and cannot telescope andhence cannot be expanded and retracted.

These bridges are used for the passage of passengers and small carry onluggage to and from the airplane. Large luggage is checked at the ticketcounter and loaded and unloaded separately.

In the operation of smaller regional airplanes, the trend is to allowthe passengers to carry their larger luggage beyond the ticket counterto the bridge. Airline personnel then can take the luggage to theairplane and load it into the aircraft cargo hold. One knownnon-telescoping bridge section has a lift attached thereto near theairport building whereby large luggage can be lowered to the ground andthen transported to the airplane. Other known lifts are attached to abridge and use chutes, ramps, or stairs for unloading luggage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a unique lift which can beattached to a telescoping bridge at its outer cab.

The lift has a carriage that can be moved by a cable and a motor upwardor downward and which comprises a platform that has sensing means forcontrolling the motor for stopping downward movement of the carriagewhen it engages the ground.

An electrically operated safety catch is provided to prevent thecarriage from falling in the event the cable breaks.

A safety system is provided which prevents the bridge from moving if thecarriage is not in the up position and the door to the carriage is notclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a bridge and the lift of the invention with thebridge in a retracted position.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the bridge in anexpanded position.

FIG. 4 is a line drawing of a cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 1as seen along lines 4—4 thereof.

FIG. 5 is a line drawing of a cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 1as seen along lines 5—5 thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of the apparatus of FIG. 1 as seen along lines6—6 thereof. In FIG. 6, the bridge section is shown as a line drawing.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the cab of the bridge of FIGS. 1-3 with thelift of the invention attached to the cab.

FIG. 8 is a different side view of the cab of the bridge of FIGS. 1-3showing a third side of the lift of the invention with its carriage in alowered position.

FIG. 9 is a line drawing of the lift and carriage of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an inner side view of the frame of the lift with the outerwalls of the housing removed.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of FIG. 10 as seen alonglines 11—11 thereof.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the frame of FIGS. 10 as seen alonglines 12—12 thereof.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter used to secure the liftto the side of cab.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the carriage of the lift.

FIG. 15 is a left end view of the carriage of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the carriage of FIGS. 14.

FIG. 17 is an inner side view of the frame of the lift with the carriagelocated therein.

FIG. 18 is a left side view of the lift of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the lift of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a side view of one of the safety catch devices of the liftwith the catch in an out of the way position.

FIG. 21 is a side view of a portion of the catch device of FIG. 24 withthe catch in a safety position.

FIG. 22 illustrates the U-shape support of the catch device.

FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the platform of the carriage of the lift.

FIG. 24 is a side view of the platform of FIG. 24.

FIG. 25 is an end view of the platform of FIG. 24.

FIG. 26 illustrates one of the ball joint linkages which couples theedges of the platform to the carriage frame.

FIG. 27 illustrates one of the ball joints coupling one leg of thecarriage to one edge of the platform.

FIG. 28 is a view of the structure of FIG. 27 as seen along lines 28—28thereof.

FIG. 29 illustrates one of the wear strips of the carriage and liftframe.

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of the wear strip of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a view of the door structure of the frame of the lift.

FIG. 32 is a cross-section of the door structure of FIG. 33 as seenalong lines 32—32 thereof.

FIG. 33 is a top view of the door structure of FIG. 20.

FIGS. 34 and 35 are an electrical schematic of the control system forthe bridge and lift. Lines 451A and 453A of FIG. 34 are connected tolines 451B and 453B respectively of FIG. 35.

FIG. 36 is an electrical schematic of additional features of the controlsystem.

FIG. 37 is a side view of a cart used with the lift. In FIG. 37 the rearwheels are not shown for purposes of clarity.

FIG. 38 is an end view of the cart.

FIG. 39 is a top view of the cart.

FIG. 40 is a bottom view of the cart.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8 there will be described a bridge and the liftof the invention. The bridge 101 is similar to that disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 5,704,086, which patent is incorporated into this applicationby reference. The bridge 101 is of the telescoping type. The bridge 101comprises a rotunda 103 which is coupled to an airport structure 105.The rotunda is supported by a pedestal 107 which is coupled to theground by way of bearings 107B such that the rotunda can rotate about avertical axis 109. The rotunda has an interior zone for the passage ofpassengers. Three hollow tunnel or bridge sections 111A, 111B, and 111Care coupled to the rotunda 103. The sections 11A, 11B, 11C arerectangular in cross-section. The bridge section 111A has its inner end111AI fixedly coupled to the rotunda 103 and its outer end 111A)telescopically located in the inner end 111BI of section 111B. The outerend 111BO of section 111B is telescopically located in the inner end111C1 of section 111C. The outer end 111CO of section 111C is fixedlycoupled to a bubble shaped cab 113 having an interior zone for thepassage of passengers. The cab 113 has a port 115 adapted to be coupledto a front door of an airplane for the passage of passengers and smallluggage.

Two identical lifting devices 121 comprising hollow members 122 arecoupled to opposite sides of the section 111C and to lower wheels 123for supporting the section 111C and hence the sections 111A and 111B andthe cab 113 above the ground with the cab 113 located at a level of thedoor of the aircraft. Thus passengers can pass from the building 105 tothe airplane and vice versa by way of the rotunda, bridge sections 111A,111B, 111C and the cab 113. A reversible AC electric motor 124 iscoupled to or screw member located in each member 122. Each screw memberis coupled to a rod 125 which is coupled to a wheel base 126 by way ofbearings 127. The base 126 is coupled to a hollow axle 128 by way of abearing 129 and a rod 130. The axle 128 has two DC controlled motorseach of which operates one of the wheels 123 such that they may be movedto be parallel with the length of the bridge 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and3 and rotated together in the same direction at the same rpm to move thebridge from a retracted position as shown in FIG. 1 to an expandedposition as shown in FIG. 3 and vice versa. In moving between theretracted and expanded positions, the section 111B moves radiallyrelative to section A and the section 111C moves radially relative tosection 111B. In order to rotate the bridge 101 about the axis 109, oneof the wheels 123 may be rotated at a different rpm than the other wheelto allow the wheel assembly 128 to turn about the bearing 129 to allowrotation of the bridge 101 about the axis 109.

Coupled to the cab 113 is the lift system 141 of the invention. The liftsystem 141 comprises a frame 143 (see FIGS. 9-12 and 17-18) which isconnected to the cab 113 by an adapter 145 (see FIGS. 13 and 33) on aside nearly opposite the port 115. The bottom of the lift 141 is open.The frame 143 has three outer walls 147, 149, 151 and a top wall 13. Thelift 141 includes a carriage (see FIGS. 8 and 9) 161 with aself-leveling platform 163 that can support a cart 165 (see FIG. 8). Thecarriage 161 can move downward to the ground through the lower openingof the lift housing and upward to the level of the cab 113 through thelower opening. The lift 141 has an inner door opening 167 and a door 169leading to the interior of the cab by way of an opening 171 formedthrough the cab wall (see FIGS. 13 and 31-33) such that when thecarriage 161 is in an upper position, passengers can place their largeluggage on the cart 165. When the cart 165 is full, the carriage can belowered to the ground and the cart 165 removed and taken to the aircraftcargo hold and the luggage loaded into the aircraft. Upon arrival of theaircraft to its destination, the luggage is loaded onto a similar cartand then taken to a similar lift and raised upward to the bridge to thepassengers leaving the aircraft.

By coupling the lift 141 to the cab 113, the lift does not have to becustom built for each bridge since it will always be at a level suchthat its carriage normally will always contact the ground since the endof the bridge at the cab will always be at the same height for the knownsmaller regional aircraft. Since the lift is attached to the outer cab113, it can be used on telescoping bridges of the types shown in FIGS.1-3 wherein each inner bridge section telescoped into its adjacent outersection.

The cab 113 shown has a movable wall 171 similar to that of a roll updoor which can be moved to different positions depending where the port115 is moved. The port 115 is of the type that can be moved to differentpositions around the cab 113 between the lift and the end 113A of thecab. The cab 113 next to lift wall 151 has a door 181 with stairs 183extending between the lower end o the door 181 and the ground.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-13 and 17-19 there will be described the lift141 in detail. In these drawings the outer walls of the lift housing arenot shown. The frame 143 of the lift rectangular in shape at the top andbottom ends, and at the four sides defining an interior space 201 in theform of a rectangular prism in which is located the carriage 161. Fourvertical members 211, 213, 215, 217 have connected thereto fourhorizontal members 221, 223, 225, 227 at the top and four horizontalmembers 231, 233, 235, 237 at the bottom to form the frame 141. Crossmembers 241 and 243 are provided for additional support. The inner framemembers 211 and 217 each comprises two L-shaped metal members 216A and216B with cross braces 216C with members 216A having apertures 219 forreceiving bolts 221 for attaching the frame 143 to the adapted 145. Theadapter 145 is attached to the side of the cab 115 by bolts (not shown).The bottom of the lift frame 141 formed by members 231, 233, 235 and 237defines a rectangular opening 245 for passage of the carriage 161.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 14-19, the carriage 161 is rectangular in shapeat the top and bottom ends and at its four sides defining an interiorspace 251 in the form of a rectangular prism. Four vertical members 261,263, 265, and 267 have connected thereto, four horizontal members 271,273, 275, 277 near the top; four lower horizontal members 281, 283, 285,and 287 and four horizontal members 291, 293, 295, and 297 at thebottom. Four angled members 301, 303, 305, and 307 are connected tohorizontal members 273 and 277 extend downward and are connected to aplate 309 which is connected to bars 311. Bars 311 are connected tomember s 281 and 285.

A U-shaped member 313 is connected to plate 309 to allow a cable 315 toraise and lower the carriage 161. The cable 315 extend around a sheave317 and is connected to a reversible electrically operated winch 319.The sheave is rotatably supported by plates 321 which are connected to aplate 323 which is connected to horizontal members 221 and 225 of liftframe 141. The winch 319 is supported by a plate 325 which is connectedto vertical members 211 and 213.

Two safety catch assemblies 341 are connected to plate 323 to preventthe carriage 161 from falling in the event the cable 315 breaks. The twocatch assemblies are identical and only one catch assembly 341 will bedescribed. Referring to FIGS. 20-22 the catch assembly 341 comprises aU-shaped support 343 and a catch member 347 which is pivotally coupledto the member 343 by a rod 351 on the outside of the U-member 343. Alsofixedly coupled to the rod 351 inside the U of the support 343 is alinkage 353. A solenoid 355 inside the U of the support 343 has alinkage 357 pivotally coupled to the linkage 353. A tension spring 359is attached to the rod 351 and has its arm 361 located against a wall.When the solenoid 355 is electrically energized, the linkage 357 ismoved downward moving the catch member 347 upward out of the way asshown on the right side of FIG. 20 to allow the carriage to movedownward. When the solenoid 355 is deenergized the torsion spring 359urges the catch member 347 of the support 343 to a safety position asshown in FIG. 21. When the carriage 161 moves upward, the solenoids 355are de-energized and the upper horizontal members 271 and 275 of thecarriage 161 push the latches 347 out of the way and move upward abovethe catch members 347. The springs 359 return the latches 347 to thesafety positions as shown in FIG. 21. Luggage from passengers in the cab113 of the bridge 101 then may be loaded on to the carriage 161. Inorder to move the carriage 161 downward to the ground the solenoids 355are energized causing the catch members 347 to be moved upward out ofthe way of the carriage arms 271 and 275.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-28, the platform 163 of the carriage 161comprises a flat bottom member 163B having two side members 163S. Eachside member 163S has two tubular apertures 163A for receiving a bolt371. Four ball joints 373 are used to couple the platform 161 to thefour legs 375 of the carriage 161. Each leg 375 has an elongated slot377 formed therethrough with a lower aperture 379 extending to the slot377. Each ball joint 373 has two opposite heads 373H1 and 373H2 withapertures 373A1 and 373A2 extending therethrough. For each leg 375, abolt 371 extends through the aperture 373A2 and a bolt 381 extendsthrough the aperture 373A1 and through the slot 377 of the leg. Nuts371N and 381N secure the ball joint to the bolts 371 and 381respectively. Each ball joint 373 can pivot about the bolts 371 and 381and move up and down in the slot 377. As the carriage 161 is lowered tothe ground, it will be tilted a small amount since the bridge 101 istilted downward in one example, of the order of 1 inch for each 12inches of length of the bridge. In FIGS. 8 and 14 the outside edge ofthe platform 163 is indicated at 163S. Thus the outside edge of thecarriage and its platform 163 will touch the ground initially. Thecarriage can be lowered further until the platform 163 engages anelectrical switch 391 (see FIG. 14) which produces a signal to stop themotor of the winch 319.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, 14, 15, 29, 30 plastic wear strips 401 areattached to the outside corners of the vertical frame members 261, 263,265, 267 of the carriage 141 at their upper ends and on the inner sidesof the frame members 211, 213, 215, 217 of the lift frame 143 to guidevertical movement of the carriage 161 as it moves up and down in thelift frame 143. The strips 401 may be formed of UHMW.

Referring now to Figs. to FIGS. 2, 7, 13 and 31-33 the wall 171 of thecab 113 terminates at 171A leaving an opening between lines 171A and171B. The adapter 145 has side walls 413 attached to the outside of thecab around the opening between lines 171A and 171B. The outer side 415of the adapter 145 has an opening 417 formed therethrough between lines417A and 417B. Vertical supports 419 are secured to the outer wall 413of the adapter next to the opening 417. Secured to the supports 419 atan upper level is a frame 421 which supports a rod 423. The rod 423supports the roll up door 169 such that the door 169 can be pulled downto close the opening 417 or moved up to allow access to the opening 417.

Referring to FIGS. 34-36, the electrical system of the bridge 101 andlift 141 will be described. Leads 451 and 453 are coupled to 110 VoltsA.C. Leads 455, 457, 459, 461, 463 and 465 are connected between leads451, 453.

Member 1DISC is a disconnect switch and member 1FU is a fuse ESTOP1 andESTOP2 are normally closed interior and exterior emergency stopswitches.

Switch LS1 is a normally open switch held closed by the lower end of theroll-up door 169 when it is in a closed (down) position. Switch LS2 is anormally open switch held closed by the lift 141 when the carriage 161is in an up position. In this condition, coil of relay CR1 is energized.This closes normally open contacts CR1 of FIG. 34 which closes normallyopen contacts CR4 of FIG. 36. The circuit of FIG. 35 allows the bridge101 to be driven. Contacts CR4 are in electrical lead 471 which appliesAC power to the electrical motors of the bridge 101 when contacts CR4 ofFIG. 36 are closed.

If the door 169 is not down and the carriage 161 is not up, the bridge101 cannot be driven (expanded or retracted or rotated) unless the bypass switch 473 is closed. It takes two persons to press the by-passswitch 473 and one to drive the bridge 101.

Relay coils CR2 and CR3 control the up and down movement of the carriage161. When the door 169 is closed and LS1 is closed by the door, relaycoil CR1 is energized which closes normally open contacts CR1 of FIG.35. This applies a voltage to lead 475 of FIG. 35. If the lift is in adown position and the up button UP1 is pressed, the CR2 relay isenergized which closes the upper CR2 contacts of FIG. 35 causing thewinch motor M1 to operate to move the carriage upward, and closes thelower CR2 contacts of FIG. 35 which actuates a beacon light and a travelwarning light.

When the lift 141 reaches the up position, normally open switch LS2 isclosed and relay CR4 is energized which opens the upper CR4 contacts ofFIG. 35 and closes the lower CR4 contacts of FIG. 35. This stops themotor M1 and actuates the interlock indicator.

If the lift door is closed and the carriage is at the up position, relayCR1 is energized. If the down button DN1 is pushed, the CR3 relay isenergized which closes contacts CR3 and current is applied to the twosolenoids of the safety catches, by way of normally closed switches LS3and LS4, which moves their latches 347 out of the way. LS3 is the limitswitch 391 of the platform 163 which is normally closed. When theplatform 163 contacts the ground it opens LS3 and stops downwardmovement of the carriage.

Switch LS4 is normally closed. Its purpose is to stop downward travel ofthe carriage if the bridge is too high and the platform of the carriagecannot contact the ground. It is opened by a lower trip member (notshown) which is attached to the outside of the housing of the lift 141.

When the down button is pushed, the current to the motor M1 is delayedby delay circuit 481 to allow the safety catch relays to be actuatedfirst to move the latches 347 out of the way before the motor M1 turnsthe winch to move the carriage down.

The interlock indicator is a green light which is actuated when thecarried door is closed and the carriage is in the up position. The lightis visible to the operator.

Referring to FIGS. 37-40, the cart 165 comprises four legs 471 (onlythree are shown) for supporting four shelves 481-484. A wheel 485 isconnected to the lower end of each leg although the rear wheels are notshown. Members 491, 492, and 493 and wheels 494 form a brake for thecart 165.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for use for the passage of persons anditems between an airport building and an airplane, comprising: a walkwaycomprising; a passage means supported for rotation about a vertical axisnext to said building; a cab having a first port adapted to be coupledto a port of an airplane for the passage of persons; a plurality ofsections with each section having a rear end and a front end with apassage formed therethrough; said plurality of sections comprising arear section having its rear end coupled to said passage means and aforward section having its forward end coupled to said cab; each of saidsections being telescopically coupled to an adjacent section with saidfront end of said section adjacent to said forward section being movablewithin said forward section, such that said walkway from said passagemeans may be expanded and contracted; said cab having a second port forthe passage of luggage and other items; a housing coupled to theexterior of said cab with an opening located in line with said secondport; said housing having a lower opening; a carriage supported formovement in said housing for supporting luggage and other items; meansfor lowering said carriage downward to the ground and upward into saidhousing by way of said lower opening for transporting luggage and otheritems between said cab and the ground.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein: said housing comprises an upper end and a lower end withsurrounding side walls located between said upper and lower endsdefining an interior upper zone extending between said upper and lowerends; said second port extends into said housing above said lower end incommunication with said interior zone; support structure coupled to saidhousing for supporting said housing including said lower end above andspaced from the ground; said lower end of said housing having said loweropening formed therethrough; said carriage being supported for movementbetween said interior zone and the ground by way of said lower opening,for carrying luggage and other items between said interior zone and theground; said carriage comprising a plurality of leg members having lowerends; a platform for supporting luggage and other items, coupled to saidlower ends of said leg members by coupling means such that said platformis located below said lower ends of said leg members and can engage theground when said carriage is lowered to the ground said lower ends ofsaid leg members and said platform may move toward and away from eachother respectively; an electric motor; an electrical switch coupled tosaid carriage at a position to be controlled by said platform when saidplatform engages the ground for shutting off said motor.
 3. The systemof claim 2, comprising: a winch coupled to said housing; a flexible linehaving a first end coupled to said carriage and a second end coupled tosaid winch; said electric motor being a reversible motor for rotatingsaid winch in a first direction to lower said carriage and for rotatingsaid winch in a second direction for raising said carriage; a safetyassembly for preventing said carriage from falling in the event saidflexible line breaks; said safety assembly comprising a movable catch;spring means for normally urging said catch in a first position toprevent said carriage from falling; a solenoid for moving said catch toa second position to allow said carriage to move from an upper positionto a lower position; said catch being movable from said second positionto said first position by said carriage when said carriage is movedupward to an upper position.
 4. The system of claim 3, comprising: anelectrical system for moving said bridge; a door for opening and closingsaid second port; circuitry including a first switch for sensing whensaid door is in a closed position and a second switch for sensing whensaid carriage is in an up position and for allowing said electricalsystem to move said bridge only if said door is in a closed position andsaid carriage is in an up position.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein:said means for lowering said carriage downward to the ground and upwardinto said housing by way of said lower opening comprises: a winchcoupled to said housing; a flexible line having a first end coupled tosaid carriage and a second end coupled to said winch; and an electricmotor for operating said winch to move said carriage upward anddownward; said carriage comprises a plurality of leg members havinglower ends; and a platform for supporting luggage and other items,coupled to said lower ends of said leg members by coupling means suchthat said platform is located below said lower ends of said let membersand can engage the ground when said carriage is lowered to the ground;said lower ends of said leg members and said platform may move towardand away from each other; an electrical switch coupled to said carriageat a position to be controlled by said platform when said platformengages the ground for shutting off said motor.